New York Mets - TeamReport

June 02, 2013|Reuters

MLB Team Report - New York Mets - INSIDE PITCH

Statistically speaking, the Miami Marlins entered last weekend's series against the Mets as the worst team in baseball. They were losing at an historic clip, threatening to challenge the 1962 Mets for all-time ineptitude.

The Marlins had lost nine games consecutively. The Mets came to town winners of five straight.

So of course it makes sense that the Mets would drop three in a row.

Miami's 11-6 victory in Sunday's finale clinched the series sweep for the Marlins, who have recorded six of their 16 wins against the Mets. It left the Mets wondering how they could sweep the playoff-caliber New York Yankees in four games, then lose three in a row to the moribund Fish.

"We don't have much room to talk ourselves, talking about, 'We should beat this team, should beat that team,'" third baseman David Wright said. "There's probably a lot of teams saying that about us right now."

Next up for the Mets are three games in Washington against another struggling team, the Nationals. They have no choice but to remain optimistic.

"As quick as things turned around in New York, we can do it again in D.C," catcher John Buck said.

--RHP Matt Harvey (5-0) got another no decision Sunday, becoming the first pitcher in Mets history to go undefeated through his first 12 starts of a season. Harvey, though, was not sharp. He gave up 10 hits -- although many were bloopers and grounders that found holes. He also walked two, struck out five and allowed four runs in five innings -- his shortest outing of the season. His ERA jumped from 1.85 to 2.17 as he threw 100 pitches, 62 for strikes.

--RHP Jeremy Hefner starts Tuesday at Washington. In his only previous outing against the Nationals this season, he allowed three runs in four innings. In his two years in the majors, Hefner has been consistently mediocre -- a 5.09 ERA last year and a 4.74 mark this season.

--1B Ike Davis, battling a season-long slump, slugged a two-run homer to center Sunday. Entering Sunday, Davis was hitting just .160 with four homers and 13 RBIs. He also had a gruesome start last year before turning it around and finishing with 26 doubles, 32 homers and 90 RBIs. The Mets would sign up for that right now, but it's not a guarantee it will happen, of course, and management must be wondering if Davis, 26, will ever become a consistent hitter.

--C John Buck, 32, gives the Mets something that is pretty rare around the majors -- big-time power from the catcher spot. His 11 homers rank just one behind the Braves' Evan Gattis and the Jays' J.P. Arencibia for the MLB lead among catchers. And Buck has three more RBIs than Gattis and six more than Arencibia. But Buck has hit just two homers since May 1, he is a free agent after the season and his future in New York is uncertain. He could be traded at the deadline as the Mets wait for elite catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud to get healthy.

--LF Lucas Duda homered Sunday, hitting a solo shot to right. He now has 10 homers but just 20 RBIs. Part of the problem has been a lack of patience. In April, he drew 20 walks and had a healthy .436 on-base percentage. In May, he drew just eight walks and had a paltry .276 on-base mark. Going with that lack of patience is Duda swinging at pitches out of the strike zone.

--LHP Jonathan Niese, who missed a start this weekend due to shoulder tendinitis, is expected to throw a bullpen session Tuesday. If all goes well, he could rejoin the rotation Friday at home against Miami.

--RHP Zach Wheeler had another strong start in Triple-A on Saturday night, allowing just three hits, one walk and one run in six innings. He struck out six and improved his record to 4-1. Wheeler, who has a 3.86 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings, is expected to make his major-league debut later this month.

--LHP Tim Byrdak threw one scoreless inning in extended spring training Saturday. The Mets expect him to return to the big-league bullpen in July.

-- CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who struggled with the Mets, has started to find his swing at Triple-A. Nieuwenhuis, 25, has five homers in his past nine games.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "This was tough to take. That's not the Matt Harvey we know. He had to work really hard just to make it through five innings." -- Manager Terry Collins after a loss Sunday.

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MLB Team Report - New York Mets - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--SS Ruben Tejada (strained right quadriceps) was injured trying to chase down a foul ball in the ninth inning May 29. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 30.